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Course dates
Monday 13th July – Friday 18th September 2026
Bank Holiday closure on Mon 31st Aug
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Course fee
£5,700
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Age requirement
18+
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Application deadline
Tuesday 24th March 2026
- Bursaries
Course overview
What is the Acting Summer Foundation?
A ten-week, full-time intensive course designed to give you a true conservatoire experience at one of the UK’s leading drama schools.
You’ll follow a programme that mirrors the training of our BA and MFA students, working closely with BOVTS tutors and visiting professionals from the world of theatre, film, and TV industries.
What training is included?
Classes include acting, movement, voice, dialect, singing, improvisation, stage combat, and scene study techniques. Training is delivered through a mix of practical performance projects and masterclasses.
Who’s it for?
For anyone aiming to pursue acting professionally, develop their craft or explore what degree-level conservatoire training could be like.
Our Environment
At BOVTS, we challenge our students to push their creative boundaries and become the best version of themselves, all within a supportive, collaborative environment that encourages exploration and risk-taking.
Location
Based in the heart of Bristol, one of the UK’s most exciting and creative cities, we’re proud to be part of a vibrant artistic community where ideas thrive.
What to expect
Course structure
Timings
The Acting Summer Foundation Course runs from Monday 14 July to Friday 19th September 2025.
Day To Day
There will be classes scheduled on Monday – Friday throughout the duration of the course, typically running between 09:00—17:00. The exception to this is Monday 25 August; the School will be closed due to the summer bank holiday.
Timetable
To give you an idea of the structure of the course, an overview of the timetable is available to download (PDF, 33 Kb). Please note that this year’s timetable may differ as our courses regularly undergo review, but you can see how different skills are typically taught throughout the course’s duration.
What our students say...
The Summer Foundation is an immersive training experience, bringing together a diverse and international cohort to work intensively as an ensemble over ten weeks. Students engage daily with professional practitioners developing clear, practical methods in acting, voice, movement and performance.
The course is demanding, collaborative and deeply supportive, encouraging precision, curiosity and resilience in equal measure. Whether used as a bridge into further training, a return to structured study, or a standalone experience, students leave with stronger creative habits, renewed confidence, and a clear sense of what sustained actor training requires. Here are some reflections from previous Summer Foundation Students…
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“What an extraordinary, life-changing experience it was! Studying at BOVTS is like being embraced into a family of caring, talented teachers and actors who are passionate about the craft and working together. The culture at BOVTS is encouraging, respectful, welcoming and empowering; the environment and buildings are beautiful and I found Bristol to be one of the most wonderful cities in which to spend the summer!”
“My time at BOVTS was eye-opening. I found the atmosphere to be very welcoming and the tutors were always willing to answer my questions, which was invaluable as I tried to figure out my next steps. The stage combat classes were especially helpful as they opened up the whole world of stage combat for me. After finishing the Foundation Course, I went on to take a few courses in stage combat and horse riding. I’m planning to pursue more training to fulfil my goal of working in special action and live theatre.”
“Learning clear, practical methods completely changed how precise I feel in my work, especially in movement. I came away with new skills I can actually apply to roles.”
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“Spending ten weeks training alongside such a diverse, international group made the experience incredibly special. The sense of ensemble and shared commitment was invaluable.”
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Accreditation
Please note that this course is not accredited and does not carry UCAS points or transferrable credit points. You will be awarded a certificate of completion from BOVTS once you have finished the course.
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Location
The course takes place at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School (BS8 2XF). The School is a recognised centre of excellence in drama training and is situated in the Clifton district of the city, overlooking Clifton Downs. Bristol is easy to reach by train from all cities in the UK and by road, being accessible from the M4 and M5 motorways. It also has an international airport.
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Entry requirements
Requirements
Applicants must be 18 or over by the time of the course start date. Entry is via an online interview with a two-minute speech. The speech can be from any published play/script of your choosing. It must not be from a film or TV series and must be in English. Please try to choose a character with a similar age to yourself.
Application
When making your application, you will be asked to provide a short statement outlining your motivations for applying to the course and detailing your level of experience.
If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate English language proficiency through a relevant qualification, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For the Acting Summer Foundation Course, an overall score of 7.0 is normally required, with a minimum of 7.0 in reading, 6.0 in writing, 7.0 in listening and 7.0 in speaking.
For any enquiries regarding making your application, please contact [email protected].
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Accommodation
We strongly advise you to start thinking about your accommodation as soon as you apply to this course. The School does not have its own halls of residence. In addition to Clifton, areas popular with students include Cotham, Redland, Montpelier, Hotwells and Stoke Bishop. These are within walking distance of the School. Further advice on accommodation is available once you have accepted a place on the course.
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Is this course for me?
Future students
We are looking for dedicated, self-motivated individuals who with to grow and develop as actors. We expect you to be open to learning new skills, techniques and advancing your performance capabilities. Your application should demonstrate an understanding of your personal strengths and weaknesses and any support requirements.
Experience
Whilst extensive previous experience isn’t required for this course, you should have an interest and commitment to learning through the conservatoire style of teaching. When at the School, you will be working with a range of different teachers and industry professionals, so it’s essential that you can work respectfully with others.
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Fees and bursaries
Fees
The course fees are £5,700 which are payable in advance. Please note that we require the full fee of £5,700 or a non-refundable deposit of £500 to secure your place within 20 working days of you receiving an offer. A balance is due 4 weeks before the start of the course.
Loans
Student loans are not available for this course but BOVTS is pleased to announce that bursary support is available for this course in the form of partial fee waivers, dependent on individual circumstances. For further information regarding eligibility criteria and how to apply, please download the Foundation Course Bursary Policy (131, Kb).
Bursaries
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is able to award one full and two half bursaries to support people from underrepresented backgrounds to participate in its Foundation Course. For more information and to apply please complete the online application form. Please note that the deadline for bursary support is Tuesday 24th March 2026, 10.00 am.
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Further information
T&CS
Please note that in the unlikely event of an insufficient number of student enrolments for this course, BOVTS may choose to suspend or withdraw the course. If this happens, BOVTS will provide as much notice to participants as possible, and will reimburse student fees, but does not bear any responsibility for reimbursing travel or accommodation costs.
Guarantees
Please note that whilst BOVTS believes the foundation course is excellent preparation for auditioning for drama school, there is no guarantee of success at preliminary or recall audition.
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UWE Accommodation Offering
Students training on a BOVTS summer course can enquire about Summer UWE accommodation availability. Enquiries can be emailed to [email protected] and the Accommodation Team will confirm availability and costings.
- Policies and Procedures
